Lila wakes up on the cot, her heart racing from a dream about Asher, Zane, and Rowan. In it, Asher lost a girlfriend who left him, Zane’s brother died in a fight, and Rowan ran from the pack. She feels their pain in her chest, like it’s her own. Her mark itches, and she rubs her shoulder, sitting up. The pendant in her backpack sits heavy in her mind, glowing from last night.

Asher stands by the cabin door, his eyes on her. “You okay?” he asks, his voice low. Lila nods, saying, “Just a weird dream.” He steps closer, and that tug in her chest pulls tight. Zane sleeps on a mat nearby, and Rowan’s outside, his shadow moving.

Lila gets up, her legs shaky, and grabs her backpack. She wants to ask about the pendant but doesn’t trust Asher’s reaction. “What’s the plan?” she says instead, looking at him. Asher says, “We’re checking for Ironclaw wolves.” Lila nods, feeling like she’s in the way.

Zane wakes up, stretching, his shirt lifting slightly. “Morning,” he says, grinning at Lila. She feels a jolt when his eyes meet hers, like always. Rowan steps inside, his boots loud, and nods at her. Lila wonders why her dreams showed their pasts, like she’s connected to them.

The pack gathers outside for a ritual, a fire burning in the clearing. Asher leads Lila to the group, his hand on her arm. Zane grabs her other hand, pulling her into a dance circle. Rowan joins, his shoulder brushing hers, making her heart skip. Lila feels caught between them, her chest tight.

Talia storms up, her eyes on Lila. “She’s bringing hunters here,” she says to Asher. He snaps, “Back off, Talia,” but she doesn’t listen. Lila steps back, feeling like everyone’s against her. Zane squeezes her hand, saying, “You’re fine,” but Talia glares harder.

The dance continues, and Asher pulls Lila close, his hand on her waist. “Stay with me,” he says, his voice soft. Lila nods, her face warm, that tug in her chest stronger. Zane spins her next, laughing, and Rowan steps in, his touch light but firm. Lila’s head spins, not sure why she feels this way.

Rowan pulls Lila aside, away from the fire, his hand on her arm. “You’re different,” he says, his voice quiet, his face close. Lila feels that jolt again, her heart racing. Zane walks over, his eyes narrowing at Rowan. “What’s going on?” Zane asks, pulling Lila back.

Lila sits by the fire, her mind racing with the dreams. She feels Asher’s loss, Zane’s grief, and Rowan’s loneliness, like they’re part of her. The pendant in her bag weighs on her thoughts, glowing in her memory. Asher sits nearby, watching her, his knife in hand. Zane carves a stick, glancing at her every few seconds.

Talia’s voice cuts through the noise, talking to another wolf. “She doesn’t belong here,” she says, loud enough for Lila to hear. Lila’s stomach twists, feeling like she’s causing trouble. Asher overhears and tells Talia to stop, but she walks off. Zane pats Lila’s knee, saying, “Don’t listen to her.”

A gunshot cracks through the night, and the pack freezes. Hunters burst into the clearing, firing at the wolves. Lila sees Ethan among them, holding a knife, his eyes locked on her. Asher grabs her, pulling her behind a cabin. Zane and Rowan run forward, their knives out, ready to fight.

Lila’s heart pounds as she crouches with Asher, her knife in hand. “Stay down,” he says, his hand on her shoulder. Zane tackles a hunter, his movements fast. Rowan moves through the shadows, taking down another. Lila feels useless, her hands shaking, wanting to help.

Ethan shouts her name, his voice loud and close. “Lila, I know your secret!” he yells, waving his knife. Lila freezes, her mark itching like it’s burning. Asher pulls her deeper into the shadows, his grip tight. The pendant in her bag feels like it’s pulsing, matching her heartbeat.

The pack fights back, wolves snarling as they charge the hunters. Zane grabs a hunter’s arm, twisting it, and the man drops his gun. Rowan’s knife flashes, and another hunter falls. Lila wants to run, but Asher keeps her close, his body shielding her. She feels that tug again, pulling her to all three guys.

Lila checks her backpack, her fingers brushing the pendant. She pulls it out, and it’s glowing brighter, making her gasp. She shoves it back, afraid Asher will see. Her dreams of their pasts feel real, like they’re tied to her mark. She wonders if Ethan knows about it too.

Asher pulls Lila to another cabin, his eyes scanning the fight. “We’ll keep you safe,” he says, his voice firm. Zane joins them, breathing hard, blood on his hands. Rowan appears, his knife still out, his eyes on Lila. She feels trapped, not sure who to trust.

The hunters retreat, their shouts fading into the trees. The pack gathers, checking for injuries, their faces tense. Lila stands with Asher, Zane, and Rowan, her heart still racing. She feels like she’s brought this danger to them. Talia glares at her, muttering to another wolf.

Lila slips away to grab her backpack, needing a moment alone. She finds Rowan’s bag nearby, open on the ground. Inside, she sees Ethan’s pendant, not in Zane’s things like she thought. Her stomach drops, wondering why Rowan has it. The pack starts shouting, and Ethan steps into the clearing, his knife raised, carved with her mark’s symbol.